Filing system.



J. A. BEST.

FILING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1911,

1,065,206, Patented June 17, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

63 a 29 I 1 l WITNESSES val-III: :z- ATTORNEVS J. A. BEST.

FILING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.6, 1911.

1,065,206. Patented 'June 17, 1913.

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FILING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1911.

Patented June 17, 1913.

F 1 3 SEEBTBSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATNT @FFiQ.

JOHN AUSTIN BEST, OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

FILING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 5, 1911.

iPatented June 1 7, 1913.

Serial No. -(564,058.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN AUSTIN/ BEST, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Augusta, in the'county of Richmond and State of Georgia, have invented a new and Improved Filing System, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates generally to filing systems and more particularly it is directed to an improved system wherein the successiv'e cards held therein are so arranged that facial portions of each are visible, thereby enabling the cards to be distinguished from each other and selected in a short space of time.

A further object of the invention is to pro- I vide an index card of particular construction having suitable perforations thereon, the perforations being adapted to cooperate With suitable fastening devices wherebying similar perforations along one edge or opposite edges which cooperate with the said rod or rods whereby the cards are held in position within the cabinet with 'a portion of each exposed and in position for quick withdrawal.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will ap ear as the description thereof proceeds, al of which is particularly pointed out and included in the appended ciaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompany-- ing drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of referonce denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cabinet embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a 7 ,vertical sectional view thereof on the line -2-2'0f Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1 showing the means whereby the longitudinal rods are actuated; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2but showing a modified arrangement in that only one rod is used and that a plurality of adjacent portions of each card are visible; Fig. 5 is a partial front view of the cabinet showing the underlying locking means for holding the rod of Fig. 4 in position; Figs. 6 and 7 are front and side views respectively of a number of cards similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 5 but designed to be held together by means of a rubber band whereby they may be disposed of in any suitable cabinet or carried about in. the pocket; Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views showing cards with a slightly different form of notches or recesses along the opposite sides -especially adapted for use with a common form of fastener; Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views of a number of cards arranged similarly to those described, each card, however, being provided with a pocket into which an auxiliary card may be fitted; Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a number of similar cards held in position with the top portion of each exposed, the cards being provided with a suitable backing; Fig. 14 shows a convenient arrangement in book form; Fig. 15 illustrates in horizontal section a modified form ofthe box and rod arrangement shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 16 illustrates a modified form of the arrangement shown in Fig. i; and Fig. 17 is another modification to be hereinafter specifically described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the cabinet may be of any suitable size or shapeand may be made of any desirable material, being preferably in the form of a box having the-top side thereof open, the cabinet being made up of the front and rear members 1, 2, the sides 3, 4', the bottom 5. Extending longitudinally of the cabinet are a plurality of rods 6, preferably rectangular in cross section, one end of each of the rods being mounted in suitable bearings 7 contained within oneof the end members 2, there being suitable bearings 8, contained within the front member; in order to provide a convenient construction wherein many of the underlying parts will be covere'd, the front of the index may be conveniently made in two parts 1, 1 as shown particularly in Fig. 1, the advantage and utility of such construction to be hereinafter described.

Each of the cards 9 is apertured along oppcsite sides, the apertures being in the form of a plurality of similar openings 10, these openings being preferably circular in shape and spaced a suitable distance from the opposite edges of the card, and recesses 11 extending inwardly from the edges and communicating with the openings. The diameter of each of the openings 10 is substantially equal to the width of each rod 6 while the width of the recesses 11 is substantially equal to the thickness of each rod 6 so that when the cards are positioned as shown in Fig. 2 they are firmly secured on the rods, turning of the rods 90,- however, permitting each card to be slipped off the rods, the rods passing through the recesses 11.

In order to actuate both rods simultaneously when it is desired to insert or remove cards, I make use of the structure shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3; the section 1 of the front end 1 of the cabinet is provided with a suitable recess 12 on its rear face and extending a sufficient distance thereacross within which the arms 13 carried by each of the rods 8 extend, the lower ends of these arms being connected by a rod 14, one of the rods being extended through theouter section 1 and terminating in a suitable actuating device, such as a thumb nut 15. In order to maintain the locked or unlocked position of the rods a spring 150 is provided, one end of the spring engaging the rod 14 and the other end thereof being secured within the recess 12; a device similar in function is shown in Fig. 5 and may be used if so desired, either rod 6 being provided with a suitable enlarged port-ion 17 having notches 17 17, therein, either of which is adapted to be engaged by the hooked end 18 of a leaf spring 19 suitably secured in position to the front member at 20. Thus it will be observed that turning of one rod is communicated to the other rod by the connection stated whereby both sides of the cards are secured or unsecured at the same time, the engagement between either notch 17, 17 and the end of the leaf spring 19 in the construction shown in Fig. 5 hold,- ing the rods against accidental displacement.

It is to be noted that the apertures along the opposite sides of the cards shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are similar to each other and that these apertures are transversely alined, the distance between any two of the apertures on either side of the card being the same as the distance between any other two. By such an arrangement I am enabled to arrange the cards as shown in Fig. 1 wherein three packs are shown being held in inclined position by means of a follower board 16 having an inclined front face, each of the packs being separated by means of suit- .able division cards 17 the rods 6 are engaged. in holes number 10 of the card 9, in holes number 9 of the card 9*, in holes num her 8 of the card 9, and so on until, as .in this instance, ten cards are formed into one pack. This arrangement of the cards on the rods provides for a given distance along the upper portion of each' card to be visible when the cards are in the cabinet, this distance at the top being sufficient to set forth any convenient data such as names, addresses, etc. The number of packs in the cabinet will depend primarily on the size of the cabinet or the length thereof, the size of each card depending upon the matter to be set forth thereon, the arrangement of the several. cards, however, affording a Simple and convenient construction wherein it is unnecessary to separate each card from the others in order to learn what is on the card.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4 the cabinet is shown provided. with a single longitudinally extending rod 6 along an intermediate portion thereof and adjacent the bottom, the rod being actuated preferably by the means already described; in this instance each of the cards 9' is apertured along one side only, the apertures being similar to those before described and including inner openings 10 communicating with the outer edge of the card through recesses 11. In this instance the width'of each card is substantially less than the width of the cabinet, the cards arranged in succeeding packssiinilar to that shown in Fig. 1, the distinct-ion, however, lying in the provision of the visible portions ofthe cards along the sides, as at 9, and also at a tapered portion 9 intermediate these sides and the tops. It is to be noted that while in Fig. 1 the top of each card in each pack is at a different elevation than the other cards in the pack that the width of each pack within the cabinet is the same While in Fig. 4 the height of each pack within the cabinet is the same, the cards of each pack being differently arranged and disposed so that their side edges lie in different vertical planes. This form of device may be preferable to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in some instances, the inventive idea. however, being the same in each case, and the cards being positioned within and removed from the cabinet by operation of the single rod 6 in very much the same manner as that previously described.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a number of cards 20 having apertures in the form of notches 21 at the sides thereof, the notches being equally spaced, the cards being arranged to be held in a pack by means of a suit-able band 22, the band engaging a notch at each side of each card, as shown in Fig. 7, whereby a convenient out-fit is provided which may be easily removed from the cabinet aud placed in the pocket if so desired.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the cards 30 are provisible, together with any data or names that may appear thereon.

In Figs. 10, '11, and 12-, I have shown a structure embodyingthe principles already. described, each of the cards,'however, being provided with a-pocket 45 adapted to receive a separate card 46 of a si'z'e adaptedto the removing the fasteners 42 in order to render the whole of each card 40 visible. Of coursethis construction embodying the pockets with the cards removable therefrom may be used in connection with a suitable cabinet or drawer, the packs being positioned succes sively therein and being conveniently removable therefrom since it is often desirable to remove a number of cards and keep them out for some time.

In Fig. 13'each card 50 is provided with a series of vertical cuts 51. along one side thereof, the cards being held one above the other'with the top portion of'each exposed by suitable fastening devices 52 engaging cuts in each of the cards, all of the cards which, in this instance, maybe made of thin paper being secured to a suitable backing of stiff or heavy material in order to provide a support when writing on the card. This arrangement is very much like the leaves of a book and each of the cards swings to one side about the fasteners 02, thereby making the whole of each card accessible if it is desired to enter any data thereon.

The structure shown in Fig. 13 may as shown in Fig. 14 be provided with a backing 53?, 58*, similar in character to the backing 53 just. described on opposite sides thereof whereby the cards are protected, the resulting structure being book-like, one of the covers being movable relatively to the cards in the other cover in order to enable each card to be gotten at; if so desired, in this instance, the opposite sides of the cards may be provided with the cuts 51, the cards being secured in position at each side by fastening devices 52.

In Fig. 15 I have shown a modification of the cabinet illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein such a device is made up of the sides 3, 3 the ends 1, 2*, and the bottom 5*; in this instance the ends are provided with similar openings 7*, 7 designed to receive a rotatable rod G preferably of rectangular construction, the front end of the rod being provided with a suitable winged nut 15 similar to that shownin Fig. 1; the ends are also provided with openings 7, 7,

at a suitable, distance from the openings 7 7", which openings receive a similar rod 6, the front end of which is provided with a winged nut 15, the rods in this instance being designed to be withdrawn a suitable distance or entirely from t-he cabinet so that the latter may be more conveniently filled with, or emptied of, its cards or packs of cards. The rods 6 engage with similar perforations at opposite sides of the parts so that the resulting arrangement is substantially similar-to what is shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 16 a cabinet similar to that shown in Fig. 4 is illustrated and is designed to hold the cards 9 in a manner similar thereto; in place of the rotatable rod 6, however, I make use of an equivalent structure in the form of an upstanding element 6 designed to enter suitable notches 100 contained along one side of the cards, the depth of which is substantially equal to the height of the element 6 This upstanding element is convenientlyformed from a single piece of material of rectangular construction bent along an intermediate partto form this element, the remaining portions of the material being of a size sufficient to form a lining 5* at the bottom of the cabinet. The manner of use of the cards shown in Fig. 16 in connection with this cabinet is essentially the same as what has been originally described, the distinction lyingnot in the idea involved but in the particular means whereby the idea is made practical.

It is desirable in some instances that the card records be taken from the cabinet in which they are placed for use elsewhere for a certain length of time and in order to provide a convenient and simple'way of protecting and taking care of the cards when so removed. as well as facilitating the use of the cards, I have shown, in Fig. 17, a device embodying a book made up of the covers provided along an intermediate portion with a number of rings 91 made up of a plurality of parts movable relatively to each other in any desirable manner, the cards being provided along one edge with a number of apertures in the form of perforations 92 adapted .to be engaged with these rings, diiierent perforations in different cards engaging differ'ent rings, whereby the end portions of the cards are visible when they are inclosed within the book. In illustrating this use of the invention I have shown particularly the cards illustrated int the cabinet of Fig. 16, the convenience with which the cards may occupy their proper positions in each of the devices being apparent. The cards shown in Fig. 16 and on the left hand side of Fig. 17 are substantially the same, as far as the exposed end portions are concerned, as those shown in FigQ- d; itis clear, however, that the cards may be exposed only along the top portion, as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 17, such arrangement being similar to what is shown in Figs. 2, 6, 13, and 14.

In the use of my invention and the reduction of the idea to practice with different businesses or methods of'keeping account, it is obvious that cards of different colors and different shapes may be used in order to indicate certain facts, it being also clear that a complete system involving the use of the cards and the method-herein shown may be standardized so that cards transferred from the cabinet of one department may be inserted in their proper places in the cabinets of other departments without necessitating changes in such cabinets or transferring the data 011 the cards to other cards.

From the above description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings it will be observed that the inventive idea of this application involves the use of a number of cards of similar construction held together by suitable means with the top portion of one face of each card alwaysyisi ble, whereby any names or other information appearing thereon may be visible.

Of course the material of which each card is made and the sizes of the cards and the particular shape of the notches or openings therein may be such as is best suited to the purpose, such changes being included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent w l. The combination of a plurality of cards having similar apertures along one side thereof, with afastening means engaging an aperture in each card, the aperture in each successive card so engaged being nearerone end of the card than in the adjacent card.

2. The combination of a plurality of cards having a number of similar apertures along opposite sides thereof, with a fastening de-' vice for holding the cards together, the said device passing through an aperture in each card, the apertures so engaged in successive cards being at different distances spaced from the ends thereof than those in the adjacent cards.

3. The combination of a plurality of cards having apertures along one side thereof, with a fastening device engaging one aperture in each card, whereby they are held together,

the apertures so engaged being at different distances from the ends of the cards, where-- .by a. portion of each card is visible.

4. The combination of a plurality of cards having apertures along one side thereof, the apertures being equally spaced, with a fastening device engaging all of the cards and passing through an aperture in each card, the said device being at unequal distances from the ends of the said cards.

5. The combination of a suitable cabinet having a rod therein, with a plurality of cards each having a. number of apertures along one side, one of said apertures in each card engaging the rod, the said cards being arranged successively with the end portion of one card extending beyond the end portion of the preceding card, whereby the end port-ionsof all the cards are visible.

6. The combination of a suitable cabinet having a rod extending therethrough, with a plurality of cards arranged in separate packs, each of the cards being similar to every other one and being provided with a number of apertures along one side, the rod engaging an aperture in each card, the end portions of the cards in each pack being visible.

7. The combination of a suitable cabinet having a plurality of rods therein, a plu- "rality of cards within the cabinet, the cards being arranged in packs, each card being provided with a plurality of apertures along opposite edges thereof, the rods engaging opposite apertures in each card, the top portions of successive cards being at a higher elevation than the preceding cards in the same pack whereby a portion of each card is visible.

8. The combination of a suitable cabinet having aplurality of rods therein, each of the rods being rectangular in cross section, a plurality of cards arranged in packs c011- tained within the cabinet, each of the cards being provided with apertures along opposite sides, each of the said apertures consisting of a recess and an opening, the width of the opening being substantially equal to one dimension of the rod and the diameter of the recess being substantially equal to the other dimension of the rod whereby the cards may be placed on the rodswhen the rods are in one position, turning of the rods to a second position locking the cards thereon.

9. The combination of a suitable cabinet having a plurality of rods rotatably supported thereon, with a number of packs of cards placed on the said rods, each pack comprising a number of cards provided with apertures along their opposite sides, certain of said apertures engaging the rods, the top portions of the cards in eachpack being at unequal distances above the rods whereby the top portions of such cards are visible.

In testimony whereot I have signed my name tg this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN AUSTTN BEST.

lVitnesses Row. J. MULHEIM, TV. L. HATCTIER. 

